Max vs Falcon

Max8.9Visit Falcon8.7Visit

Higher score Max #5 in Sound Design Software 8.9/10 30-day trial Free trial✓ 2 of 3 features Visit Cycling '74

vs

Falcon #7 in Sound Design Software 8.7/10 Paid ✓ 1 of 3 features Visit Falcon

• Max fits best

  Professional visual patching and media design

• Falcon fits best

  Advanced synthesis and sample-based sound creation

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Side by side

Feature	Max 8.9/10 Visit ↗	Falcon 8.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.9	8.7
Ranking	#5 in Sound Design Software	#7 in Sound Design Software
Best for	Professional visual patching and media design	Advanced synthesis and sample-based sound creation
Pricing model	Paid	Paid
Starting price	$133.20/yr	$299 one-time
Free plan	—	—
Free trial	30 days	—
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	Windows, macOS	Windows, macOS
Support	Tickets, Community, Docs	Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business, Mid-market
Features Max 2/3 · Falcon 1/3
Standalone app	✓	✓
Sample import	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Surround audio	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Specs
Primary workflow	Hybrid	Not checked yet
Plugin formats	Audio Unit, VST, VST3, and AMXD	Audio Unit, AAX, VST, VST3
Supported platforms	macOS and Windows	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Build custom synthesizers, effects, samples, and MIDI tools Combines multichannel audio, video, graphics, Gen, and Jitter Loads Audio Unit, VST, VST3, and Max for Live plug-ins	24 oscillators and 100+ effects support detailed sound design Deep modulation, MIDI scripting, and MPE expand sound-shaping control 1,600 presets and 500+ wavetables provide a substantial starting library
Cons	No free plan, with annual access starting at $133.20 Permanent license costs $442.89 and major upgrades are separate Available only for macOS and Windows	The one-time price is $299 with no free plan Available on Windows and macOS only Its broad feature set may exceed the needs of narrow workflows
Our verdict	Max is a visual patching environment for musicians, artists, educators, researchers, and media designers. Its connected-object workflow supports custom synthesizers, effects, sample-processing systems, MIDI tools, interactive audiovisual… Read the review →	Falcon is a semi-modular software instrument from UVI that combines sampling and synthesis in one sound-design environment. It is aimed at musicians, producers, composers, and sound designers who want extensive control over generated and… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Max — where it wins

  • Build custom synthesizers, effects, samples, and MIDI tools
  • Combines multichannel audio, video, graphics, Gen, and Jitter
  • Loads Audio Unit, VST, VST3, and Max for Live plug-ins

  Where it doesn't

  • No free plan, with annual access starting at $133.20
  • Permanent license costs $442.89 and major upgrades are separate
  • Available only for macOS and Windows

• Falcon — where it wins

  • 24 oscillators and 100+ effects support detailed sound design
  • Deep modulation, MIDI scripting, and MPE expand sound-shaping control
  • 1,600 presets and 500+ wavetables provide a substantial starting library

  Where it doesn't

  • The one-time price is $299 with no free plan
  • Available on Windows and macOS only
  • Its broad feature set may exceed the needs of narrow workflows

• Max8.9/10 · 30-day trial

  A deep visual patching environment for custom sound, audiovisual, and hardware projects.

  Visit Cycling '74Full verdict →
• Falcon8.7/10 · Paid

  A deep sound-design instrument for advanced synthesis, sampling, and expressive control.

  Visit FalconFull verdict →